Six prisons, including HMP Coldingley in Bisley, are to be given "unprecedented freedom" as the government announces "the biggest shake-up of the prison system since the Victorian era".

The reforms, announced in the Queen’s Speech today, will give prison governors new powers over how their budgets are spent, operational freedoms over education, the prison regime, family visits, and partnerships to provide prison work and rehabilitation services.

The reforms seek to cut reoffending rates and increases former prisoners chances of gaining employment when released.

The other prisons involved include HMP High Down in Sutton, which houses around 1,200 prisoners, many of who have been convicted in Surrey, and HMP Holme House, HMP Kirklevington Grange, HMP Ranby, and HMP Wandsworth.

While High Down, a Category B men's prison, houses around 1,200 prisoners.

Coldingley Prison

The Queen, during the state opening of parliament on today (May 18), said: “My government will legislate to reform prisons and courts to given individuals a second chance.

"Prison governors will be given unprecedented freedom and will be able to ensure prisoners will receive better education.

“Old and inefficient prisons will be closed and new institutions built where prisoners can be put more effectively to work.

“Action will also be taken to ensure better mental health provision for individuals in the criminal justice system.”

Justice secretary and MP for Surrey Heath, Michael Gove, said: “Prison must do more to rehabilitate offenders. We will put governors in charge, giving them the autonomy they need to run prisons in the way they think best.”

The government have said that ‘a new regime of transparency’ will hold governors to account, with comparable statistics to be published for each prison on reoffending, employment rates on release, and violence and self harm.

The government promised to invest £1.3 billion to replace ageing prisons, with 9 new-build prisons planned.